Infuriating Use of Feminism (via Roe v. Wade)

Blogger Mary Rambin who posts on the blog Non-Society, in a post entitled My Body, My Botox, compared her choice to get botox injections to a woman’s right to have an abortion.

I site [sic] Roe v. Wade because it serves as a marker of people accepting (maybe not respecting) a woman’s right to choose. Although abortion is still an issue at the forefront, it’s notable the Supreme Court recognized women should be able to do what they feel is right for themselves.

Cosmetic procedures should be viewed in the same light. Not to mention the procedures are in no way effecting another human being, so the severity of the issue is considerably less. But as with breast implants, time will have to pass before others view cosmetic procedures as acceptable. I won’t say “the norm” because I do think artificial enhancement should carry with it serious consideration before you undergo any sort of procedure. Other things like manicures and pedicures, dental work, highlighting your hair, are all “procedures” that are completely unnatural but we consider normal.

I really don’t care whether a woman chooses to have plastic surgery or not. What you do to your body is your prerogative. But, using Roe v. Wade just to stand for that broad proposition is disturbing. First, plastic surgery is a completely cosmetic procedure, whereas having a baby is a major life-changing decision. Furthermore, whereas the thousands of activists who fight every day to preserve a woman’s right to chose to have an abortion are fighting against patriarchal control over female bodies. Having plastic surgery seems only to be reinforcing patriarchy and an unnatural standard of beauty that is fed to us by the media. This blog post trivializes the rights activists have been trying to gain for decades. And, as she so aptly states, cosmetic surgery is a luxury. I doubt that any woman who has ever had an abortion or considered having an abortion would consider it a luxury. Superficial posts like this one which try to use feminism to back up every argument infuriate me. Take responsibility for wanting to have an cosmetic surgery because you want to look different, or better, or younger. Don’t try to hide behind Roe v. Wade.